Where to Go in Costa Rica

Costa Rica will amaze even the most seasoned traveler with its dramatic changes of scenery!
Check out our Map of the Travel Regions

You'll go from world-class whitewater rapids in Sarapiqui to boiling lava and steamy hot springs in La Fortuna, home to Arenal Volcano. You can then quickly move on to the fern filled cloud forests of Monteverde and to the dry grasslands of the Guanacaste (north Pacific) Region where white sanded beaches, bubbling mud pits and world renown golf courses entertain the most scrupulous traveler.

Don't forget to stop and enjoy a fresh cup of traditional Costa Rican coffee along the way in the Central Valley Region where active volcanoes, national parks, shopping and culture intermingle.

And all of this is just the "tip of the volcano" to this eco-friendly, extreme-sport junky, kid-adored, bird-lovers, tropical paradise called Costa Rica... Pura Vida!

Travel Regions:

Visit any one of the seven travel regions, each distinctly different in style, climate and appearance, and experience the beauty and charm of Costa Rica.

What's your Flavor?

This is the white sanded beach and five-star resort region of Costa Rica where the famous Gold Coast beaches, world-renown golf courses and some of the country's most famous surf breaks are located. With the international Liberia airport just an hour or less away from many of these attractions, this region of Costa Rica is quickly becoming one of the most visited areas. Don't forget about the bubbling mud-pits of Rincon de la Vieja and the world famous Coco Island, made famous by Jacques Cousteau. Find out more...

There's never a dull moment in the Central Pacific Region. Filled with the country's most famous wildlife viewing parks such as Carara National Park and Manuel Antonio, you'll have plenty one-on-one meetings with crocodiles, monkeys, sloths, lizards and much more. Popular destinations like Jaco and Manuel Antonio are easily accessed from San Jose, and several of the countries best canopy tours are located in this region too. Beautiful beaches, great shopping and stellar surf make this region extremely popluar. Read more...

Come to the region of Costa Rica where the largest percentage of land preserved in national parks and other reserves is located. Extending from Playa Dominical south to Panama, this region includes the highest mountain in Costa Rica - Mount Chirripo (12,530 feet), one of the longest left surf breaks in world - Pavones, Corcovado National Park - one of the most biologically diverse places in the world, and several more of the most remote and beautiful destinations in all of Costa Rica. More Info

San Jose and the surrounding area is a lot more than a simple stop over after landing at the international airport. Many travelers make this their home base for popular day trips to some of the country's most visited attractions: Volcano Poas and Irazu, coffee planation tours, canopy tours, rafting adventures and a lot more. Historial attractions in Cartago and San Jose including churches, museums and monuments make these cities a must-see. The artisan markets are great for souvenir shopping, and ... read more

This is one of those "gotta see" type of places. Here you can lounge in the natural volcanic hot springs at the base of Arenal Volcano while enjoying a boiling lava show of the most active volcano in Costa Rica. Then head over to nearby Monteverde with its diverse cloud forests and plethora of living museums and canopy tours. No other place in Costa Rica will offer you as much plant and wildlife biodiversity as the cloud forests and rich volcanic soils of this region. More about the Northern Region...

The port city of Limon is ripe with different cultures, cuisines, carnivals and restaurants specializing in Caribbean cooking. Just north of here is Tortuguero, where emerald forests teeming with wildlife and 22 miles of protected black sand beaches welcome the endangered green sea turtle from July until October. The forests here are a bird watchers paradise with more than 375 species to be observed, not to mention the hundreds of species of mammals, reptiles, plants and trees. Find out more...

Can you hear the gentle beat of reggae music amidst the lapping surf? How about taking a dive or snorkel in the crystal clear turquoise waters and seeing colorful marine life swimming lazily around the living coral reefs? And if you're daring enough, you can try your luck at Salsa Brava, the Hawaiian style surf break. But best of all you can do nothing and still have the time of your life! The south Caribbean region is known for its laid back, chill-out atmosphere where one can indulge in swinging in a hammock all day long. More info...